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Base raises disability employment awareness

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Carbajal
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  "Talent has no boundaries." That was the theme for this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Led by the joint base's special observance committee, the base held a luncheon to educate on-base and off-base community members on the importance of the month.

"During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we use education and awareness to try and improve employment opportunities that can lead to good jobs and a better future for disabled Americans," said Manuel Revilla, special observance committee member. "Too many individuals face unnecessary barriers when trying to satisfy his or her desire to work," he added.

This observance was first signed into public law in 1945 by President Harry Truman. Even though it has endured several name changes since its inception, the month is still dedicated to promoting the employment and advancement of disabled workers.

In a statement released in October, President Barack Obama said, "we renew our focus on improving employment opportunities and career pathways that lead to good jobs and sound economic futures for people with disabilities."

"Fair access to employment is a fundamental right of every American, including the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities," said Obama. "A job can provide financial stability, help maximize our potential and allow us to achieve our dreams."

A keynote speaker for the event, Col. Joseph Poth, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst deputy commander, had personal stories to share with attendees.

"I come from a family with three handicapped brothers and sisters. They are afflicted with a disease commonly referred to as Elf Man's disease where they have tumors outside their body and inside their bodies. I am the oldest of four siblings and don't have that disease. I have a brother who's had 35 operations and to this day works on the assembly line in Pittsburgh - he has one leg - 12 hours a day and he never complains."

The guest speaker for this year's event was Charles Byers Jr., the recipient of a Silver Star, a Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart for his service in the Army from 1966-1972. Currently, he is the president of South Jersey Vietnam Veterans Association and the commander of the Military Order Purple Heart for the Department of New Jersey.

During the event, Byers said people with disabilities bring immeasurable value to our workplaces and have positively impacted countless lives.

"Our strength as a country we often say is in our diversity and certainly Americans with disabilities are part of that," Poth said. "If we are able to change the views of one person today - just one person, I think we can do that - then we have succeeded. Our strength is in our diversity."